Tony Blair Calls for ‘Rise-up’ Against Brexit

Tony Blair Calls for Britain to ‘Rise-up’

Tony Blair calls for Europeans to ‘rise up’ and persuade opponents they were wrong about Brexit. The former prime minister has urged opponents of Brexit to ‘rise up’ against leaving the EU. During a speech, in London, Blair rejected the idea that leaving was now ‘inevitable.’ He said, “I accept right now there is no widespread appetite to re-think. But the people voted without knowledge of the true terms of Brexit. As these terms become clear, it is their right to change their mind. Our mission is to persuade them to do so.”

During an impassioned speech Blair said, “I don’t know if we can succeed. But I do know we will suffer a rancorous verdict from future generations if we do not try. This is not the time for retreat, indifference or despair; but the time to rise up in defense of what we believe – calmly, patiently, winning the argument by the force of argument; but without fear and with the conviction we act in the true interests of Britain.”

Blair’s speech was not well accepted by all. Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson accused him of “insulting the intelligence” of those who voted to leave. Johnson said, “I respectfully say to Tony Blair, those who call the British people to rise up against Brexit, I urge the British people to rise up and turn off the TV the next time Blair comes on with his condescending campaign.”

Iain Duncan Smith, former cabinet minister told Sky News, “Mr. Blair seems to have forgotten what democracy is about.” He accused Blair of “arrogance.” Another prominent Leave campaigner, Michael Gove, said, “Politicians like Tony Blair should respect the result and work with the Government to make a success of Brexit instead of trying to undermine British democracy.